Switch stand



F. c. ANDERSON. SWITCH STAND.y IIIILIcATIoN FIL-ED FEB. I5, 1922.. 1413,1 52. Patented Apr. 18, 1922.

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UNITED A *sr TES Aran-r SWITCH To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, FRANK C. ANDERSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch Stands, of which the following is a specification.

.Iy invention relates to ground-lever parallel-throw switch-stands in general, and more particularly to the kind disclosed and claimed in my Patents No. 1,360,862, dated November 30, 1920, and No. 1,389,730, dated September 6, 1921, and in my co-pending .applications, Serial No. 477,228, filed June 13, 1921, Serial No. 486,166, led July 20, 1921, and Serial No. 510,847, filed Oct. 27, 1921, upon which mypresent invention is an improvement. l

Its object, like the switch-stands of those patents and applications, is to combine ease of manual switch-throwing operation with control of the point-rails by a weighted handle, to permit normal operation without excessive vibration of the point-rails, butto permit opening if theswitch is run through, without resilient or breakable connections. It is the especial object of the present invention to afford better bearings for the oper-A ating parts, thereby increasing the efficiency of my switch-stand in the` performance of those functions. Other objects, peculiar to the present invention, as well 'as in common with those of the mentioned patents and ap-V plications, will appeal' in the course of the ensuing description.

I attain these ob'ects bythe device illustrated, for example, in the accompanying drawing, in which f Figure 1 is a sectional-plan View of the switch-stand, the section being on the plane of the line 1-1 of Fig. 2; Y l

Fig. 2 is a sectional front elevation, the section being on the plane of the line 2 2 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical front-to-rear section on the plane of the line 3-*3 of Fig.' 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective detail view of the rack member;

Fig. 5 is a similar view ofk the pinion member; y 2

Fig.l 6 is asimilar View of the 'crank-andrack bearing block; and v Fig; 7 is a sectional front elevation corresponding to Fig. 2, but showing a modification. v

STAND.

Specification of Letters Patent. Pagg Apr, 18, 1922, Application filed February 15, 1922. Serial No. 536,796.`

The base of the stand comprises the middle part 1 with feet-,2 at opposite ends, eX- tending down to lfoot-plates 3; the vlatter having forward extensions with openings 3 reducing 'the cross-section atthe beginning of each extension so that the extension may be'cut away if desired, as in my prior inventions before mentioned. This base also commerical;

prises the front shaft bearing 4 'and the segff? mental extension 5 at the rear, with the bearing opening 6 down through said-extension concentric therewith and in front-to-rear alinement with thebearing 4. ,Iust to the rear of this bearing 4 the base has the depression 7; and at opposite ends of the base middle flat part 1 are upstanding'parts with forwardly and rearwardly projecting ears 8 near their tops. The front ears 8 embrace opposite end parts of the front guide-bar t9, :fri

and the rear ears 8 similarly embrace opposite end parts of the rear guide-bar 9; these guide bars 9 thus running acrossthe base a considerable distance up from the top of the flat part 1 and respectively near the front the latter have been fully assembled on the basenand to be bolted' to the base by means of bolts 13 in ears on the base and casing at opposite sides of' the front bearings 4 and 1),r and bolts 13 near respective rear corners of the base middle part, through said middle part and through bottom rear fiat extensions on the casing at opposite sides of the rear exg tension of this casing.

The handle-lever 14 is adapted to be thrown to one side orfthe other and to rest onv oneor the other of the lever-rests 14 pro- Vjecting rup from respective forward extensions of the "foot-plates 3,'Y before mentioned. At the free end of this handle-lever 14 is the weight-handle 15 ofl approved design,

and at the other end, 'preferably forged integral with the ,handle-lever, Visthe pinionshaft 16, lying in the front shaft bearings 4 and 1()k and extending back across the depression 7, as in my prior inventions referred to above.

In the example of Figs. 1 to 5,- the pinion member 17 is substantially one half of an 65 through and bears in the opening 11v in the elliptical gear lying at Opposite sides of the major axis of the ellipse, which major axis is alined with the handle-lever 14, lying in the depression 7 with hubs 18 at frontv andV rear against adjacent sides of the depression,

and having a lightening yrecess 17, and being fixed to the shaft 16 by a key-pin. 17 and a pin 19 through its hub and through the shaft. Such a pinion member is disclosed and fully described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 510,- 847, filed October 27, 1921, above referred to.

The rack member 20 comprises the upper zontalposition of its major axis tothe other.

This rack is similar to that disclosed and claimed in the copending application just mentioned, in `its tooth arrangement; the teeth here however,'beiiig coarsei' and fewer in the pinion member 17 and in the rack member 20. As here shown, the pinion member 17 has nine teeth and the rack inember has eight teeth. It will be understood that the teeth may be of any suitable size and number, according to said application or to the present invention.

The extensions or curved parts 22 are nari rower than the space between the front and rear guide-bars 9, and at their ends have i heads 24 projecting up4 with ears 25 at the front' and back, with holes 26 that loosely admit the respective guide-bars 9 so that the rack member 20 can slide freely from one side of the stand to the other on these bars 9. The upper flat partv 21 projects forwardly vand rearwardly somewhat, over the guidevbars 9, and'at opposite edges has the frontto-rear upstanding jaws 27, parallel and considerably spaced apart equidistant from the front-to-rear median line of the rack body.

The target-shaft 28 will be understood to be of suitable design in its upper part, to support a target or lamp or other means at any required height; and the intermediate crank 2,9, of radius suited'to the throw of .the rack member 20 according to my invention of .the co-pending application mentioned, has the hub 30 receiving the targetshaft 28 down 'through it. The bearing block 31 is rectangular and fiat, with a central circular opening, and fits slidinglyvbetween the jaws 27 ofthe rack member 20; and the arm of the intermediate crank 29 has nearfitsfront end the downwardlyl projecting bearing lug 31 fitting snugly in the central circularopening ofl this bearing block 31, while the target-shaft extends up casing, and the lower part of thehub 30 extends down into and bears in thebase opening 6, with a flange 32 bearing-on the base therearound, supporting the crank 29 at the proper height to work easily with the bearing-block 31 and rack member 20. Pins 33 fix the target-shaft 28 in the crank hub 30.

- As in my prior invention mentioned, the directswitch-throwing cra-nk 34 lits up in the opening 6, with teeth 35 engaged in a transverse groove in the bottom of the hub 30, and the target-shaft 28 is Vtapped into the center of this crank 34. This crank com.- prises the radially adjustable crank arm 36, connecting with the switch-connecting rod 37 by a pin 38. The casing has the rear extension 39 and the bottom flanges 40 to prevent tlie pin 38 from rising out of place; and the extensions 39 have the `slots 41 for placing the pin 38, in assembling the connection. vention, and claimed in my Patent No. 1,389,730, before referred to; the crank construction, as well as the rack, pinion and iiitermediate crank combination generally, being disclosed and claimed in my Patent No. 1,360,862, before mentioned. Also, as disclosed and claimed in my co-pending applications, Serial Nos. 486,166 and 510,847, before'referred to,`the pinion-shaft 16 has a rear bearing pin in the base, which latter has a depression 42; the bearing pin 43 hav ing a head 44 in the depression, and extending forward into a central bore in the shaft 16, through an upward projection ofthe base (Fig/3,) and a lock-plate 45 inclining upward and backward, under :the head'44 and bearing against the rear end of the des pression 42, where it is held down by the flange 32 of the crank hub 30. This locks the pin 43 in bearing position.

The provision for vcutting away the foot plates 3 at vtheir-openings 3 is to allow latches to be used instead of the lever-rests 14, for mainline use where locking is necessary.

my invention permits latches to be dispensed with, for convenient throwing, and to allowV the switch to be run through without breakage or resort to yielding connections; all of which is fully explained .in my prior patents and applicationsV before mentioned. The variable-radius pinion and rack combination permitslthisto be accomplished more effectively, as fully explained in my co-pending application, Serial No. 510,847, before mentioned. y

1n the modification of'Fig. 7, the pinion 17aN is circular, and the rack member 20 has a straight seriesof teeth, as'in my Patent No. 1,360,862, before mentioned; the guida bars 9 being ata ,suitable height over the depression 7 for the pinionto mesh with the rack, which latter has the raised middle part 21 with the straight end extensionsearryl This isdisclosed in my prior ine ico Y iio Y VThe lever-rests 14 are for yard use, where ing the heads 24 embracing the Vguide-bars 9 Y in a manner similar to that of the example CII of Figs. l to 5, inclusive.

kln either example, the mounting of the rack member 20 or 20 on the guide-bars 9 or 9 affords a much better guidance than the mere resting of the vrack member on the tops of pedestalsl as in my prior inventions mentioned; and this contributes to the ease of throwing manually, and to the completeness ot throwing under tile impact when the switch is run through in the wrong` direction. Also, this guide-bar construction is much lighter than those of my former inventions employing pedestals projected up from the l base throughout their lengths. This'is especiallyimportant in the variableradius stand, such as shown in Figs.' l to 5, inclusive, where the guiding elements for the rack member Vmust be ata considerable height on account oi' the greatly increased Also, in either example, this construction,

owing-to the dilerent rack-member formation, permits a lowering of the casing top l2 in the end parts 12, making it less bulky and less obstruetive'to the switchmen who must pass the stand. However, I prefer that the reduced top parts l2 be horizontal as shown, like the main middle part, as less liable to cause slippage of the switehmen who step on the casing; this being an advantage provided in my prior inventions, wherein the casing tops are continuously flat from end to end.

The use of the bearing-block 3l, to slide across between the jaws 27 of the rack member, in either example, with the bearing-lug 3l oit the crank 29 or crank 29V turning in the central opening of the *bearing-block, greatly reduces the frictional resistance and wear due to the relative `motions of the crank and rack member; and it insures a close holding of the point-rails by the meshing pinion and rack teeth, thus adding to the effect oit the increased weight efficiency in either example under the conditions `involved with my prior inventions and with the present examples, as fullv set' 'forth in the prior patents and applications all alcove referred to.

llioditications other than those herein eX- emplified may occurnnder' different conditions'. Therefore, while certain constructional details are deemed preferable in connection with my invention, and l have shown and described these rather specifically in elucidating the construction and use of my invention, as is required, I do not wish to be understood as being limited to such precise showing and description, but

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim as nevi/,and desire to secure byy Letters Patent is:

l. In a switch-stand, a base comprising a 'front-to-rear shaft bearing at its front and a depression to the rear et said bearing, a lever with a shaft in said bearing, a pinion. iii/ged on said shaft' andlying within said depression, upstanding means onsaid base near opposite ends thereof, guide-bars having their ends supported onk said upstanding means and extending along the front and rear, respectively, oiC said depression, a rack member sliding on said guide-bars and having teeth on its hottom meshing downwardly with f said pinion, a bearing block guiffled from 'ront to rear lon the upper part of said rack member, a crank turning in said base on an upright axis, to the rear of said depression, pivotally engaging with said bearing-block, and means for -operatively connecting said lcrank to a switch. 2. In a switch-stand, mechanism"comprising a lever and a spur pinion coaxially connected, bearing-bars extending along opposite ends of said pinion', a rrack sliding on said bearing-bars and meshing with said pinion, an intermediate crank operatively related to said rack, a direct switch-throwing crank coaXially connected to said intermediate crank, andmeans operatively supporting said mechanism.

`3. In a switch-stand, mechanism comprising a lever and a spur pinion coaxially connected, a rack meshing with said pinion and having parallel jaws, a bearing-block guided vbetween said jaws, an intermediate crank pivotally engaging' with said` bearing-block, a direct switch-throwing crank coanially connected with said intermediate crank, and means operatively supporting said mechanism.` ll. In a switch-stand, mechanism comprising a lever and aspur pinion coaxiallv con-- nected, bearing-bars extending alongr opposite ends ot' said pinion, a rack sliding on said bearing-bars and meshing withf said pinion and having parallel jawsfa bearingblock guided between said jaws, an intermediate craiikpivotally engaging with said bearing-block, a Adirect switch-throwing crank coa-nially` connected with said inteiimediate crank, and means operativelv sunporting said mechanism. u L 5. In a switch-stand, mechanism comprising alever and a spur pinion coaxially Ycon-v nected, a rack meshingwith said pinion. an intermediate crank and means to operatively connect said crank to a switch, and means pivotally engaged hy said intermediate crank and slidingly engaging said rack.

6. In a switch-stand, a base, a lever and a ingly embracingsaid guiding means, and.

with extensions inclining away therefrom in `opposite directions and having teeth on their` adjacent sides, said member having longitudinal bearing means on the outer end parts of said extensions. l

8. ln a switch-stand, a rack member comprising asubstantially .straight middle part with extensions inclining away therefrom in opposite directions and having teeth on their adjacent sides, a bearing-block guided transversely of lsaid middle part, and a crank pivotally engaging with said bearing-block.

9. ln a switch-stand, a rack vmember with parallel jaws and having means to guide said rack member, a bearing-block guided between said jaws, and a crank pivotally engaging with said bearing-block. Y

l0. ln a switch-stand, a base comprisinga front-to-rear shaft bearing at its frontl and a depressionv to the rear of said bearing, a lever with a shaft in said bearing, a substantially semi-elliptical pinion fixed von said shaft and lyingl within sai-d depression, upstanding means on said base near opposite ends thereof, guide-bars having their ends supported on said upstanding means and extending along the front and rear, respectively, of said depression, a rack member sliding onsaid guide-bars with extensions inclining ldown in opposite directions from its middle and having teeth on their inclined bottoms meshing downwardly with said pinion, the major axis of the ellipse of said pinion being substantially alined with said lever and the end teeth of said pinion being substantially near the minor axis of said ellipse and meshing with the lower end parts of said rack member at opposite ends of its throw, parallel front-to-rear'jaws extending up from the top of said rack member, a bearing-block guided between said jaws, a crank turning in said base on anupright axis, to the rear of said guide-bars, pivotally engaging with said bearing-block, and means for operatively connecting said crank to a switch.

1l. Ina switch-stand, a base comprising a front-to-rear shaft bearing at its front and a depression to the rear of said bearing, a lever with a shaft in said bearing, a substantially semi-elliptical pinion fixed on said shaft and lying within said depression, upstanding means on said base near opposite ends thereof, guide-bars having their ends vsupported on said upstanding means and extending along the front and rear, respectively, of said depression, a rack member sliding' on said .guide-bars with extensions inclining down .in opposite directions from its middle rand having teeth on their inclinedv bottoms meshing downwardly with said pinion, the majorl axis of the ellipse of said pinion being substantially alined with said lever and the'end teeth of said pinion being substantially near the minor axis of said Vellipse and meshing with the lower end parts of said rack inember at oppositeends of its throw, and means for operatively relating said rack member to a switch.

12. In av switch-stand, a base comprising a front-to-rear shaft bearing at its front and a depression to the rear of said bearing, and

iipstanding means on said base near opposite Y ends thereof, alined with said depression and having vmeans on their upper-parts in trans-V depression, a rear bearing pin in said upward extension and extendino' into said shaft, upstanding means on saic 'base near opposite ends thereof, guide-bars having their ends supported on said upstanding means and extending along the front and rear, respectively, of said first mentioned depression, aV Arack member sliding on-said guide-bars and having teetlimeshing'downwardly with said pinion, and means for operatively relating said rack member to a switch. Y

14:. In a switch-stand, a base comprising a vfront-to-rear shaft bearing at its front and a depression to the rear of sai-d bearing, an upward extension to the rear'of said depression, and a second depression to the rear of said upward extension, and upstanding means on said basey near opposite ends thereof, alined with the first mentioned depression and having means on their upper parts in transverse planes to thefront and rear, respectively, of

said first mentioned depression, for supporting guide-bars across said base. Y

' FRANK C. ANDERSON. ,n 

